Models and Tools for the Computational Support of Technology Impact Assessments, Applied in the Context of Mass Transportation

Abstract

This chapter describes the conceptual and practical developments for a software prototype created in the course of the SIAM FP7 project (EC reference 261826). The term assessment support system was coined to characterise this system because its inherent aim is to provide insight about the assessment process itself and so enhance, rather than replace, traditional decision support approaches. An assessment support system follows a participative, human-driven approach and takes as input the specification of technology acquisition scenarios in order to record, analyse, and report on the entirety of individual assessments, made by different actors and stakeholders involved. The focus of such a system is to guide the assessment process and improve the reflexivity of information, opinions, and expertise among the contributors and decision-makers in the assessment of technology impact. This is achieved by making salient the issues which have been assessed (and also those which have been ignored); whether certain actors have been left out of the process and should be included; where there is agreement or conflict between actors; and whether the collective assessments made are balanced in terms of the different interests and responsibilities of all actors involved. This is a novel approach and in stark contrast to most existing decision support systems which focus on computing key performance indicators to suggest particular solutions which embody the best trade-off between assessment criteria, but which may not necessarily present the best solution to choose in terms of other types of impact.